Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z

Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video

Hump Back is a three-piece girls’ band that plays message-driven rock, expressing everyday joys and sorrows with down-to-earth lyrics.

Their first single, released in June 2018 as their major-label debut, was featured as the ending theme of the TV music program “Buzz Rhythm 02.” The lyrics by Momoko Hayashi, said to be inspired by notes she left during her teenage years, serve as an anthem for young people who struggle and wrestle with their dreams and hopes.

The song’s message tells listeners that it’s okay to take the long way around, because there’s value in the journey itself—something many students who live their days earnestly will likely relate to.

With its straightforward rock ensemble, it’s also a powerful number well-suited for live stage performances.

Youth SicknessFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Seishun Sick (Official Video)

Fujii Kaze’s song delicately depicts the fragility and inner struggles of youth.

The lyrics reflect a longing for the ephemeral and the complex feelings about the end of one’s adolescence.

It was first performed at his solo concert at Nippon Budokan on October 29, 2020, and released the following day, October 30, as a digital-only single.

Classified as Funk/Soul and J-POP, the song celebrates the importance of embracing the fleeting nature of youth.

By sensitively portraying the emotions of young people, this work offers a warm message to those who look back on the past while living in the present.

bookmarkkuriipuhaipe

CreepHyp - “Bookmark” (MUSIC VIDEO)

A bittersweet song about youthful romance has arrived from CreepHyp.

Set to a driving rock sound, Sekai-kan Ozaki’s distinctive lyrical world unfolds.

In this work, the emotions of two people facing a breakup are delicately expressed through images like bookmarks and falling cherry blossoms, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in September 2018, the track drew attention as the campaign song for “FM802 × TSUTAYA ACCESS!” with participation from many artists.

It’s a song that offers empathy and comfort to members of Gen Z struggling with love and relationships.

cotton candyback number

back number – Watagashi (full)

The three-piece rock band back number captivates fans with poignant lyrics that vividly paint scenes and an emotional vocal style.

Their melodies brim with a summery, humid melancholy that leaves a strong impression.

The timidity that keeps one from taking a first step and the tendency to spin out fantasies are feelings many men, in particular, will relate to.

Released in July 2012, this song was chosen as the opening theme for the music show COUNT DOWN TV and reached No.

14 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

Actress Mizuki Yamamoto appears on both the cover and in the music video.

It’s a perfect number for a summer moment—one whose sentimental story inevitably mirrors your own feelings.

You don’t listen to rock.aimyon

Aimyon – You Don’t Listen to Rock [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Aimyon is a singer-songwriter whose nostalgic acoustic sound has won support from a wide range of listeners.

This is her major-label third single, released in August 2017—a youthful love song that expresses feelings for a crush who doesn’t listen to rock music.

Its refreshing melody is striking, making it a perfect choice for band performances at school or cultural festivals.

The storytelling lyrics that evoke young love are sure to resonate with many listeners.

With a gentle voice and delicate sound that linger in your ears, it’s also a great number to use as background music.

Is that okay?RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Is It Okay? [Official Music Video]

This RADWIMPS track sets disarmingly straightforward expressions of love—and the jittery feeling that comes from being “too happy”—to a buoyant rhythm.

It’s one of the band’s signature songs, turning live venues into a sea of handclaps and singalongs.

The lyric asking “Is it okay to be this happy?” perfectly captures the joy and gratitude of meeting someone precious.

Though included on the December 2006 album RADWIMPS 4 ~Okazu no Gohan~, it also carries a fiery backstory: the original MV shoot was grueling due to rain and cold, prompting a “revenge” reshoot about ten years later in 2017.

It’s a song that makes you want to say “thank you” to the irreplaceable people in your life—be it a partner, family, or best friend.

Like a warm meal, it’s a classic that soaks into the heart.

I’ll call your name.SUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “I’ll Call Your Name” MV (Theme Song for the Film ‘Tokyo Revengers’)

Written as the theme song for the film Tokyo Revengers, this piece is a rock number packed with a fiery message! Through the simple act of “calling someone’s name,” the lyrics make us rediscover the certainty of our bonds and the preciousness of encounters, powerfully moving the hearts of listeners.

Released as a single in July 2021, it also marked an important milestone celebrating SUPER BEAVER’s 15th anniversary.

The sound—linked to the film’s worldview—evokes human connection and is a must-listen! Play it while spending time with dear friends or teammates, or in a quiet moment, and you’ll be reminded of how much they mean to you.

It’s the perfect track for feeling gratitude for the people you’ve met and for cherishing the ties you want to nurture from here on.